Sir Alex Ferguson confident of completing transfer

Sir Alex Ferguson is assured Manchester United will complete the £12 million acquisition of Crystal Palace starlet Wilfried Zaha before the week is out, the Guardian report.

The Red Devils boss opted not to travel with his side for a four days warm-weather training trip to Qatar, instead remaining in England in an attempt to drive through a deal for Zaha ahead of the FA Cup clash with Fulham on Saturday.

Palace are refusing to budge on their £15m valuation for the 20-year-old, considered one of the hottest talents outside of the Premier League, but United hoping they will agree to a compromise

Should the Eagles accept a reduced fee they will request that United allow Zaha to return to Selhurst Park on loan until the end of the season or send them teenager Nick Powell in order to aid their push for promotion.

Ian Holloway’s side are fourth in the Championship table and believe losing the talented winger will detrimental to their hopes of a return to the top-flight following an eight-year absence.

However, Ferguson would be reluctant to let the England international immediately depart Old Trafford given his eligibility for the knockout stages of the Champions League, but more talks are likely to take place in the next 24 hours in order to reach an amicable resolution.